Annular separator apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An unheated, essential oil diffuser relies on a pressurized air stream to educt oil from a reservoir, followed by separators including separation chambers and an annular channel. The latter is a long channel having an aspect ratio (L/d) of from about 10 to about 120, for length L and thickness d. Thickness d is effective diameter, also known as hydraulic diameter (4 times c.s. area, divided by “wetted” or exposed perimeter), and may be from about 25 to about 100 thousandths of an inch (0.6 to 2.5 mm) across the thin passage, with a target range of from about 55 to 75 mils (0.7 to 1 mm). This geometry provides laminar flow at Reynolds number values less than a few hundred for virtually its complete distance of from under one inch (25 mm) to over three inches (76 mm).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application: is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/373,035, filed Dec. 8, 2016, scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat. No.10,806,817 on Oct. 20, 2020; which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/265,820, filed Dec. 10, 2015,both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Additionally, this patent application hereby incorporates by referenceU.S. Pat. No. 7,878,418 issued Feb. 1, 2011, U.S. Pat. No. 9,415,130issued Aug. 16, 2016, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/850,789, filedSep. 10, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/277,343,filed Jan. 11, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. No. 62/294,170,filed Feb. 11, 2016.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention relates to essential oils and, more particularly, tonovel systems and methods for atomizing and diffusing them.

Background Art

Mechanisms exist for altering a closed environment such as a room orhome with humidity. Likewise, mechanisms exist for removing humidity.Electronic and chemical mechanisms for destroying microbial sources ofscents exist. Meanwhile, sprays, evaporators, wicks, candles, and soforth also exist to distribute volatile scents, essential oils, liquidsbearing scents, and so forth. These may be introduced into breathingair, an atmosphere of a room, or any other enclosed space.

Heating often destroys or at least changes the constitution of essentialoils. Thus, it has limitations. However, the evaporation rates oratomization rates of essential oils are often insufficient to provide acontrollable, sustainable, and sufficient amount of an essential oilinto the atmosphere. Thus, wicks having no air movement (convection)mechanism often prove inadequate in all those respects.

Meanwhile, mechanisms that seek to copy vaporizers and moistureatomizers often damage surrounding equipment, furniture, and otherenvirons of a space being treated by essential oils. Moreover, thecontinuing “spitting” by atomizers of comparatively larger droplets notonly causes damage to finishes on surrounding surfaces, but wastes asubstantial fraction of the essential oil.

Essential oils are concentrated sources of aromas or scents. Theirextraction from source plants is sometimes complicated, and alwayscomparatively expensive, based on the cost per unit volume of theessential oil. Therefore, colognes, other fragrancing systems, and thelike often use high rates of diluents for essential oils. They also usesynthetic oils and artificial scents that may not replicate thecomforting, familiar, and natural essence of essential oils.

By whatever mode, systems to distribute essential oils often waste anexpensive commodity while damaging surroundings about their atomizers orother distribution systems. Thus, it would be an advance in the art toprovide an apparatus and method for distributing essential oils in assmall particles as possible, preferably vaporized, while protectingsurrounding areas. It would be an advance to do so while retrieving andrecycling for re-atomization or diffusion any droplets that are largerthan those that may be sustained by effectively Brownian motion oncedischarged into surrounding air.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodiedand broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed inone embodiment of the present invention as including a reservoir fittedwith an extraction system for drawing out of the reservoir and feedinginto a diffuser nozzle. The nozzle may operate as an eductor. In fact,in certain embodiments an eductor may include an injection nozzlefeeding into a plenum which plenum feeds through a diffuser nozzletoward an ultimate discharge point or port.

In certain embodiments, a system may include separation or driftchambers. For example, an initial separation chamber may actually be anevacuated space or vapor space near the top of a reservoir. Thisprovides the advantage of the reservoir directly relying on contactaccumulation, coalescence by contact between an atomized spray and thecontent of essential oil in the reservoir.

Typically, an annulus of aspect ratio (length to width) of from 20:1 to50:1 or greater may serve as a separator between this initial separation(drift) chamber, and other “downstream” separation (drift) chambersbetween the initial separation (drift) chamber and the ultimatedischarge port. In various embodiments, lateral drift in laminar flowchannels may separate out larger droplets for recycling. Changes ofdirection may also still serve as separation mechanisms. Thus, forexample, the atomized flow composed of atomized essential oil andentraining air (air entraining those droplets and carrying themtherewith) may pass as an atomized flow or simply flow through acircuitous route of passages.

Separator mechanisms may coalesce out comparatively larger droplets asthey either drift into or strike with impact against solid surfaces.Solid surfaces may be naturally occurring walls of conduits, thereservoir, and so forth. However, surfaces may also be made up ofbaffles simply placed within a conduit or path in order to cause changesof direction, and to receive and coalesce overly large droplets.“Larger” means having too much mass, or rather too great amass-to-surface-area ratio to drift indefinitely in air. This may alsobe expressed as a volume-to-surface-area ratio.

For example, a sphere has a volume. That volume is related to a thirdpower of radius of the sphere. Thus, four thirds π multiplied by theradius to the third power equals the volume of a sphere having a radiusof r. Meanwhile, the area of cross section (which controls air drag) isrelated to a second power or square of the radius. Surface area of thesphere is also related to the square of the radius.

Thus, one can see that cross sectional area and surface area increase asthe square of radius. Volume (proportional to mass and gravity force)increases as the cube. This means that as radius increases, mass, aswell as momentum and gravity force, increase at a greater rate thanareas (proportional to drag) increase.

Conversely, this means that the decrease of radius decreases surfacearea as the square of radius, while decreasing volume as the cube ofradius. Accordingly, there comes a point at which the cross sectionalarea controlling fluid drag of droplets in air is sufficiently large yetthe mass and volume are sufficiently small, that a particle of such sizemay remain suspended indefinitely in air. That is, the drag forcesresisting drift of the droplet downward with the force of gravity issufficient to maintain indefinitely the drift of that droplet with themovement of air. Stated another way, the gravitational force is sominiscule as to be irrelevant to the time of drift. Gravity isunimportant. Drift can proceed effectively indefinitely.

Evaporation is an entirely different mechanism. In evaporation,individual molecules of a liquid become individual molecules of vapor.Vapors then abide by Dalton's law of partial pressures and take theirplace with other surrounding vapors including air, constituted primarilyby oxygen and nitrogen. Thus, evaporated portions of an essential oilhave performed well their function of distributing into the surroundingair.

Meanwhile, droplets sufficiently small to remain airborne substantiallyindefinitely, despite gravity, have also achieved their mission todistribute in air. Droplets too large, and therefore, too heavy, cannotbe sustained in surrounding air against drift downward under the forceof gravity. By drifting down these become the culprits in waste ofessential oils and the damage to surrounding surfaces on which dropletsland.

Thus, in an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention, ithas been found that various separators have proven effective to provideseveral key factors. For example, separation devices provide time. Thetime of passage or containment of a droplet within a separation chamberprovides opportunity for comparatively larger droplets to drift towardany coalescing surface. By coalescing surface is meant a surface uponwhich overly large droplets may strike and coalesce with one anotherunder the natural surface tension affinity that the essential oil hasfor itself.

Also, the separation chambers have inlets and outlets offering changesof direction and cross section. Moreover, barriers will intercept“comparatively larger” particles by serving as coalescing surfaces.Barriers may also redirect flows, thereby encouraging striking thereofby overly large particles.

Herein we will define overly large particles as particles that arelarger, especially those more than an order of magnitude larger indiameter than self-sustaining (permanently drifting) droplets. Thus,permanently drifting droplets are defined as droplets of an atomizedliquid that are sufficiently small that they will not drift downward,especially the height of a room within a day of eight to twenty fourhours. Thus, the finest particles, defined as permanently driftingparticles are those whose gravitational acceleration under the force ofgravity is insufficient to drift down.

Of interest also is any droplet that will not descend the height of aroom within a day due to the resistance to drifting down by the fluiddrag of the surrounding gases, such as room air. As a practical matter,droplets larger than these finest or permanently drifting particles aresufficiently small if they will drift with an airflow and leave withventilation air. Often, air leaves a room in a matter of less than anhour.

For example, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and AirConditioning Engineering (ASHRAE) defines standards for roomventilation. Finest particles will necessarily be drifting with the flowof air and will leave a room before they have substantial opportunity todrift to the floor. Moreover, because room air is exchanged sofrequently, typically more than once per hour, particles that are anorder of magnitude larger than the finest particles also fit within thedefinition of comparatively smaller particles. In other words, thesestay aloft for sufficient time to be swept out with the circulation ofroom air.

What is needed is a compact system to accomplish atomization andseparation of the comparatively larger particles that can drift to theground in less than an hour or less than an air exchange time. The sizemay vary with temperature and with the specific gravity (densitycompared to the density of water) of a particular essential oil.

Thus, an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention may relyon a compactly packaged, annular separation chamber. They may includedrift chambers also in the flow path. The annulus provides drift timeand a smooth flow separation mechanism for comparatively largerparticles to drift toward and coalesce against annulus surfaces.

In one embodiment, a parallel eductor, which is effectively a coaxialeductor, operates to inject or atomize a plume of educted gas or vapor(e.g., air) starting as a jet entraining therewith a certain amount ofan essential oil to be atomized. This jet, proceeding out of the jetnozzle or injection nozzle (which initiates and creates the jet), passesthrough a receptacle or well. The well is drawing the essential oil outof the reservoir, through a tube into that receptacle.

The jet of air passing through the essential oil entrains a certainportion thereof, or entrains an essential oil at a rate and withsufficient energy to strip droplets from the surface of surroundingessential oil. It ejects those droplets with the jet through a diffusernozzle.

Of course, according to the laws of physics and engineering, dropletsare generated in a variety of sizes. Initially, the largest of thecomparatively larger droplets will not be able to make the turn requiredto reverse direction. Reversal is required in order to pass back outthrough the cap and a channel in the cap that exits the vapor spaceabove the reservoir.

The effect of this parallel or quasi co-axial injection is that thefirst coalescing surface that the comparatively larger droplets strikeis not a surface of a solid at all. It is the upper surface of thesupply of essential oil restored in the reservoir. This provides highlyeffective coalescence. It results in a comparatively large ongoingmomentum transfer from comparatively larger droplets into the uppersurface of the essential oil in the reservoir.

Effectively, this may also entrain air into the upper surface, causing acertain amount of bubbling or foaming at the upper surface of theessential oil in the reservoir.

Conservation of mass principles at work require that the air used forthe jet in the eductor pass out of the vapor space in the reservoir. Atleast one channel is provided for that purpose. Meanwhile, there mayexist a random action or trajectory of an overly large droplet towardany of the walls of the reservoir. Above the line or surface of thecontained essential oil, this may result in those walls becomingcoalescing surfaces. After coalescing overly large droplets, the wallscontinue draining them back into the essential oil contained in thereservoir.

The full change of direction, about 180 degrees, from the injectiondirection toward the surface of the essential oil to the pathway outthrough the exit channel, represents a first separation process. Itincludes a direct-contact coalescence process. Some droplets may havedirect contact with the content of the reservoir rather than coalescingwith one another as each is smeared by impact against a coalescingsurface. Thereafter a comparatively long annular channel relies onlaminar flow, instead of turbulent flow to drift larger droplets towardits walls to coalesce and return to the reservoir.

Applicant hereby incorporates by reference: U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/247,755, filed Oct. 8, 2008, issued Feb. 1, 2011, as U.S. Pat.No. 7,878,418, U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29/401,480,filed Sep. 12, 2011, issued May 29, 2012, as U.S. Design Pat. No.D660,951; U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29/401,517, filedSep. 12, 2011, issued Sep. 4, 2012, as U.S. Design Pat. No. D666,706;U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/854,545, filed Apr. 1, 2013; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/260,520, filed Apr. 24, 2014; U.S. DesignPatent Application Serial No. 29/451,750, filed Apr. 8, 2013, U.S.Design Patent Application Serial No. 29/465,421, filed Aug. 28, 2013;U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29/465,424, filed Aug. 28,2013; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/850,789, filed Sep. 10,2015.

Each of these references, incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety, discloses certain structures, components, controls, operatingmechanisms, and designs for eduction and separation. In thisapplication, Applicant need not, indeed cannot, reiterate all of thedisclosure and illustrations contained therein. However, thosereferences discuss various sizes and shapes of reservoirs, various typesof caps and seals, various separation chambers, various strikingsurfaces or coalescing surfaces, and various paths and separationchambers. Those words are not necessarily used. Therefore, Applicantwill hereby seek to define what is meant by these terms.

By a reservoir is indicated a supply, or a container for holding asupply, of an aromatic substance, such as an essential oil. By adiffuser is meant a system for atomizing and distributed comparativelysmaller particles, including finest particles as defined hereinabove,and suitably fine particles that are within about an order of magnitudeof the same diameter or radius as finest particles.

A jet is defined as in engineering fluid mechanics. A jet represents aflow of fluid having momentum, and passing through another fluid whichmay have the same or a different constitution. Thus, an air jet may passthrough a surrounding oil. An air jet may pass through surrounding air.A significant feature of a jet is that it passes fluid having momentumthrough another fluid having a different specific momentum. Accordingly,momentum is exchanged between the environment and the jet, causing thejet to grow in size as a “plume.” A plume will decrease in velocity asthe momentum is distributed among more actual material (mass).

An eductor is a specific type of fluid handling mechanism. An eductor isa system in which a jet of a first constitution is injected into anotherfluid, typically of a different constitution. The momentum from thefirst jet is sufficient to cause the surrounding fluid entrained by thejet to continue as a plume of mixed constitution.

Herein, an eductor mechanism is created in which a jet, the source ofthat jet, and the surrounding environment into which the jet is injectedare passed through an aperture. Any portion of the jet that exceeds thediameter or maximum dimension across the nozzle cannot passtherethrough, and thereby must recirculate back to be re-entrained inthe jet, or to some other disposition.

A diffuser is in some respects an atomizer, but has the specificobjective of producing finest fluid particles or droplets. Accordingly,a diffuser system includes not just an eductor but separation chambers,sometimes distinct separator structures. All are calculated to removecomparatively larger droplets, leaving only finest droplets and thosewithin an about an order of magnitude thereof. Again, finest droplets orparticles and comparatively larger particles have been definedhereinabove, in terms of their fluid dynamic behaviors. Those behaviorsare defined by well established engineering equations. Therefore, allthose equations are not repeated here. One may refer to textbooks andpapers published on jets, atomization, fluid mechanics, two-phase flow,entrainment, plumes, and the like to obtain the details of the physics,the flow fields, the operational parameters, and governing equations forthese phenomena.

Vapor space in a reservoir is defined as a portion of the volume of areservoir container that contains other than predominantly the liquidfor which the reservoir exists. That is, the vapor region actuallycontains air, a certain amount of the evaporated essential oil,according to Dalton's law of partial pressure in chemistry, and acertain quantity of drifting droplets in transit.

In certain embodiments of an apparatus and method in accordance with theinvention, a reservoir may be fitted with an eductor injecting, througha diffuser nozzle, an entrainment jet containing both air, as thedriving fluid, and atomized particles or droplets of the essential oil.

Mass flow rate is equal to an area times the velocity of materialpassing through that cross sectional area, multiplied by a density ofthe material flowing. Volumetric flow rate is simply a velocity of theflow rate multiplied by the cross sectional area through which that flowpasses.

Whether looking at mass flow rate or volumetric flow rate, area is acontrolling parameter. Increasing area, while keeping the volumetricflow rate constant, requires that the velocity slow down. Accordingly,in order to slow the velocity, area is increased. The result of a changein velocity is to permit more time for comparatively larger droplets todrift out of their entraining airflow toward any adjacent wall, baffle,or the like.

Accordingly, it has been found that diffuser systems or diffusion systemin accordance with the invention, operating with the structures andfluid mechanisms in accordance with the invention, provide threevaluable benefits not found in prior art systems. First, comparativelylarger droplets do not exit the discharge port and drift down uponsurrounding surfaces. Second, this effectively diffuses and controls,without heating, the amount of the essential oil diffused in order toprovide a specific level of scent that is pleasant and effectively asstrong as desired (controlled), without being overly strong.

Third, oil use required for a level of scent within a treated space hasbeen shown to be much more efficient. That is, usage rates of less thanhalf to a third of conventional systems result. Sometimes less thanabout one eighth to one tenth of conventional usage has resulted insystems in accordance with the invention.

In summary, the treated space has the properly controlled amount of theessential oil to provide the aroma and ambiance desired. Compared toprior art systems, whose rate of use is much greater, the essential oilsare more efficiently used. Furniture and other surfaces are not damaged,sticky, or unsightly from comparatively larger particles drifting downonto them.

In various embodiments, a compact, integrated system may be placedwithin any arbitrary base or housing. It has been found that a reservoirmay be fitted into virtually any décor.

Meanwhile, only electrical power crosses to the system from thearbitrary base. This results in pleasant possibilities for design, alongwith compactness, uniformity, and convenience of integration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are,therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described with additional specificity and detail through use ofthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of one embodiment of a systemand apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section, elevation view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded, perspective view thereof, absent thereservoir;

FIG. 4 is a perspective, assembled view thereof from the outlet side ofthe diffuser;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view thereof from the air inlet side thereof;

FIG. 6 is a lower quarter perspective view thereof from the outlet sidethereof;

FIG. 7 is a lower quarter perspective view thereof from the air intakeside thereof;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a right side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a left side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevation view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a velocity profile of fluidoperating in a separator passage in a system in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 15 is an interpretive, schematic diagram thereof;

FIG. 16 is a chart identifying controlling equations for flow in theseparation passage;

FIG. 17 is an exploded schematic diagram illustrating variousalternative bases or holders for containing, hiding, or both, a diffuserin accordance with the invention;

FIG. 18 is an exploded, perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofa system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 19 is a side, elevation, cross-sectional view thereof in anassembled configuration;

FIG. 20 is an upper, frontal perspective view thereof;

FIG. 21 is a upper, rear perspective view thereof;

FIG. 22 is a lower, frontal perspective view thereof;

FIG. 23 is a lower, rear perspective view thereof;

FIG. 24 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 25 is a right side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 26 is a left side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 27 is a rear elevation view thereof;

FIG. 28 is a top plan view thereof; and

FIG. 29 is a bottom plan view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be readily understood that the components of the presentinvention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawingsherein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of theembodiments of the system and method of the present invention, asrepresented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention, as claimed, but is merely representative of variousembodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of theinvention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, whereinlike parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 18, while referring generally to FIGS. 1through 29, details of alternative embodiments of an apparatus andmethod in accordance with the invention are illustrated. In general,what applies to FIGS. 1 through 17 also applies to FIGS. 18 through 29.Thus, the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 13 is one, concentric, annulardiffuser. In contrast, the embodiment of FIGS. 18 through 29 is analternative arrangement in which the sleeve 16 containing the drive 18(the motor and pump system) is eccentrically mounted in order toincrease the effective diameter (hydraulic diameter) of the passage 50exiting the system toward the cap 80 and exit port 54. In thatembodiment a channel has also been made inside the wall 86. Thus, mostdetails of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 13 apply equally to theembodiment of FIGS. 18 through 29. Accordingly, all references togeneral principals and structures of either embodiment apply to eachembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, and 18-19 while continuing to refergenerally to FIGS. 1 through 29, a system 10 in accordance with theinvention may operate with a reservoir 12. In some embodiments, thereservoir 12 may be included as part of the system 10. In otherembodiments, a system 10 may be adaptable to a variety of reservoirs 12,none of which need be an integral part of the system.

One reason for this is that reservoirs 12 may be standardized to acertain extent. Accordingly, various reservoirs 12 representing variousbrands of suppliers of the contents thereof may be manufactured in avariety of sizes, shapes, and so forth. Typically, a reservoir 12 willbe adaptable to the system 10 regardless of the shape of the reservoir12. At the very least, an adaptor may serve as an interface between areservoir 12 and the remainder of a system 10. Thus, in a sense, thesystem 10 may act as a cap 10 on the reservoir 12.

In a system 10 in accordance with the invention, the system 10 mayinclude several principal components, subsystems, portions, or regions.In the illustrated embodiment, a reservoir 12 connects to a housing 14.The housing 14 also receives inside of it, a sleeve 16, sometimesreferred to as a motor sleeve 16 or a drive sleeve 16. Inside the sleeve16 fits a drive 18 or drive system 18. It may be proper to refer to thedrive 18 as the pump 18, the motor 18, the motive system 18, or thelike.

The principal function of the drive 18 is to provide a flow ofpressurized air. The drive 18 is connected to provide a flow ofpressurized air to an eductor 20. A system of routes or passages isconfigured throughout the interior of the housing 14. Initially, air isdrawn from the surrounding environment. Ultimately, a flow is dischargedfrom the housing 14, adding a scent to the surrounding environment.

The initial intake of air or incoming flow is charged with comparativelyvery small particles of an essential oil or the like. These particlesare then discharged in a flow of air into the surrounding environment.The scent may provide aromatherapy, mood scent, or other effects as aresult of the scent of the particle introduced.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 19, while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1 through 29, the inlet port 24 connects to an inlet chamber 26.The flow of air, initially untreated, and then ultimately carrying ascent begins its entry into the system 10 through an inlet port 24. Fromthe inlet port 24, air next passes into an inlet chamber 26. The inletchamber 26 may be provided with a filter, filter medium, or the like.Such a filter medium may fill the entire inlet chamber 26, or merely aportion thereof. In some embodiments, the filter medium may simply actas a gatekeeper against dust or other pollutants undesirable to beflowing through the system 10.

To arrive at the point of receiving an essential oil or other content ofthe reservoir 12, the flow of air in this particular example embodimentmust pass from the inlet chamber to a transfer chamber 28. The transferchamber 28 provides a region 28 that can align with a perforation 30 ortransition passage 30 in order to access a plenum 32. The plenum 32 hereis seen to extend across the housing 14. The plenum 32 supplies throughone or more openings the incoming flow of air into a cooling passage 34.The passage 34 may be an annulus, multiple channels, or the like.

One will note that the cooling passage 34 or passages 34 may runeffectively vertically or substantially vertically between the sleeve 16and the drive 18. Accordingly, the cooling passage 34 passes acontinuing flow of ambient air around the outside surfaces of the drive18. Thus, the cooling passage 34 provides a certain degree of cooling tothe drive 18.

The drive 18 includes electrical equipment and the use of electricalpower. The drive 18 benefits substantially from the cooling effect ofincoming air that can receive rejected heat. Rejected heat is a term ofart in thermal engineering and is used here as such. The flow willcontinually absorb waste heat discharged or rejected by the drive 18,and carry that heat away. Thus, the enclosure by the sleeve 16 of thedrive 18 still provides for continuing cooling by a continuing stream ofoutside or ambient air passing the drive 18.

From the cooling passage 34, the air is eventually drawn into a portionof the drive 18 pumping that air into a plenum 36. The plenum 36 nowcontains pressurized air pressurized substantially above ambientpressures.

For example, air at ambient pressure is drawn by a reduction of thatpressure, caused by the drive 18. Thus, pressure is comparatively higherin the ambient than in the inlet chamber 26. Pressure is higher in theinlet chamber than the transfer chamber 28. Pressure is higher in thetransfer chamber 28 than in the transition chamber 30 or the perforation30. Meanwhile, air pressure in the plenum 32 is higher than pressure inthe cooling passage 34. Pressure drops throughout the passage andthrough the cooling passage 34. Pressure continues to drop until thepump portion of the drive 18 suddenly increases that pressure. Uponpumping, pressure rises in the plenum 36 relative to the other passages24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36.

From the plenum 36, a nozzle opening 38 passages a comparatively smallercross-sectional area of air at a comparatively much higher velocity thanthat air has experienced prior thereto. In the environment, the air issubstantially quiescent. Whatever air movement there may be iscomparatively small. Depending upon the area or cross-sectional area ineach of the passages 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, the velocity of the airwill change. At the nozzle 42, the most restrictive (smallest) arearesults in a significant increase in velocity.

As a practical mater, the mass flow rate of air through any passage 24,26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 is equal to the density, times thecross-sectional area, times the velocity. Accordingly, at a mass flowrate that must be constant throughout, any increase of area along itspath results in a decrease of velocity. Conversely, every decrease inarea results in a proportional increase in velocity. Slight variationsof density may occur, but are not significant.

The nozzle passage 38 injects high speed air into an eductor chamber 40.The eductor chamber 40 is extremely significant. The eductor chamber 40receives the air from the nozzle 38. However, the eductor chamber 40also permits “eduction” of surrounding air. Eduction is a process ofmomentum transfer. From a central jet, representing the air exiting thenozzle 38, the eductor chamber 40 provides a location whereinsurrounding air within the eduction chamber 40 may be drawn in by thejet to be entrained in the jet. Thus, a jet exiting the nozzle 38increases in size, and decreases in maximum velocity as it draws insurrounding air by eduction (direct momentum exchange) or entrainment.

As a result of this eduction or entrainment, a reduced pressuresurrounding the jet out of the nozzle 38 exists within the eductionchamber. Accordingly, the content 56 or oil 56 from the reservoir 12 isdrawn into the eduction chamber 40.

Ultimately, the pressure difference between the eductor chamber 40 and adrift chamber 44 causes the spray to pass through a spray nozzle 42.This spray nozzle 42 or eductor nozzle 42 stands in contrast to the airnozzle 38. Only air passes through the nozzle 38. In the eductor chamber40, surrounding residual air and the content 56 or essential oil 56 fromthe reservoir 12 mix together. The drift chamber 44 operates at an evenlower pressure, thus the comparatively higher pressure in the eductorchamber 40 drives a spray in two phases (liquid and gas) made up of theoil 56 or other content 56 in comparatively small droplets or particlesentrained within the air injected by the air nozzle 38 into the eductorchamber 40.

The spray ejected by the spray nozzle 42 or eductor nozzle 42 enters thedrift chamber 44 in a downward, vertical direction. This is by design.By injecting downward, the nozzle 42 encourages comparatively largerparticles that are sufficiently large in mass (and therefor in weight)that are incapable of remaining entrained in the air flow to continuedown through the neck 46 of the reservoir 12.

In fact, the neck 46 or neck passage 46 continues into a vapor space 48near the top of the reservoir 12. Inasmuch as the vapor space 48provides access to the oil 56, comparatively larger droplets may driftdown into the reservoir 12 to be captured by the oil 56. Herein, oil 56simply means the content 56 of the reservoir 12. In some embodiments,the content 56 may be exclusively oil. In others, the oil 56 may bedissolved by a solvent such as alcohol or water. In some embodiments,multiple types of oils 56 may make up the content 56.

In order to exit the vapor space 48, any air and entrained droplets mustpass into an annulus 50 formed between the housing 14 and the sleeve 16.In some regards, the annulus 50 provides additional cooling andisolation of the drive 18. For example, the drive 18 is contained withinthe sleeve 16. The sleeve 16 and drive 18 provide the cooling passage 34of incoming air serving to cool the drive 18.

Moreover, the annulus 50 passing back up between the housing 14 and thesleeve 16 provides an additional layer of cooling and isolation of thedrive system 18 and the sleeve 16 from the outside environment. Thus,heat from the drive 18 may continue to be carried away by the flowthrough the annulus 50. The annulus 50 may be thought of as the passage50 between the housing 14 and the sleeve 16. Also, it is proper to speakof the annulus as the portions of the sleeve 16 and drive 18 that form apassage 50 or annulus 50. For example, the annulus need not be entirelycontinuous about its circumference.

Eventually, flow must pass from the annulus 50 out through a final driftchamber 52 or transition chamber 52. The term drift chamber 52 refers tothe fact that a two-phase flow necessarily includes both a vapor or gasand an entrained second phase (liquid here). The particles of the secondphase are at liberty to drift. If they are sufficiently small, then thefluid drag imposed by the air (gas) on the second phase (e.g., oil) willbe greater than the effect of gravity or the effect of momentum (due tovelocity) of such a particle. Accordingly, sudden changes of direction,sudden changes of cross-sectional area, and the like will result in theneed for a particle to change speed, direction, or both. Otherwise itmay be thrown against a solid surface and splatter, or coalesce, or dosome of both. Thus, in a drift chamber, generally, changes of directionresult in particles of the oil 56 striking a wall, and thereby beingeither comminuted into smaller particles or coalesced against the wall,to flow back down into the reservoir 12. By either mode, only thoseparticles that are sufficiently small to change direction and speedrapidly enough to remain entrained within the air can be carried on toexit the housing 14. All other droplets will eventually find their wayback to the reservoir 12.

Exiting the annulus 50, the flow passes through the final drift chamber52 and ultimately an exit passage 54. As explained, multiple driftchambers 44, 52, as well as the drift passage 50 that is the annulus 50,provide the opportunity for comparatively larger droplets to drift outof the flow. Those drifting out may shatter. All particles that cannotremain entrained must re-shatter or else coalesce against surroundingsolid surfaces. This effectively filters or sorts the particles, therebyleaving only the comparatively smallest to exit out of the exit passage54 into the surrounding environment.

In the second phase (liquid) material, the content 56 or oil 56 in thereservoir 12 is drawn into a siphon tube 58. The tube 58 extends belowthe surface 60 or liquid levels 60 of the content 56 in the reservoir12. The tube 58 here illustrated must necessarily pass up through theneck 62 of the reservoir 12 into the eductor chamber 40. In the eductorchamber 40, the comparatively high speed air blasting from the nozzle 38fractures the flow of oil 56 into droplets entrained by the air flow andinjected through the eductor nozzle 42 into the drift chamber 44.

The reservoir 12 may be connected to the housing 14 by threads 64 on theouter surface of the neck 62 of the reservoir 12. A seal 66 between theneck 62 and the housing 14 may be both liquid tight and air tight.

In general, a reservoir 12, and more particularly, the threads 64 andneck 62 of the reservoir 12 may be received into a receiver 68. Thereceiver 68 may be thought of as a receiver portion 68 of the housing14. In general, the body 70 of the housing 14 includes the barrelportion 72 that operates as the bulk of its containment. The receiver 68necks down to a comparatively smaller diameter in order to fit thethreads 64 and neck 62 of the reservoir 12. Meanwhile, ribs 74 may beadded for one of several reasons. Typically, the ribs 74 will provideadditional strength, and, more importantly, stiffness stabilizing thebody 70 or the shape of the body 70. Thus, less material is required inthe body 70 if the ribs 74 are spaced periodically to provide increasedstiffness and strength.

Opposite the receiver 68 at the bottom end of the body 70 is the collar76. The collar 76 is very much a business end 76 of the body 70 of thehousing 14.

For example, an inlet lobe 78 a accommodates the inlet chamber 26. Inother words, the inlet lobe 78 a effectively has the inlet chamber 26formed therein. Meanwhile, an outlet lobe 78 b provides space for theexit passage 54 to pass, or otherwise connect to the annulus 50 orannular separator 50.

A cap 80 is the complement to the body 70, sealing the body 70 to formthe overall housing 14. The cap 80 is fitted to the collar 76. In fact,the collar 76 is provided with relief spaces 82 or sockets 82. Thosesockets 82 receive and register portions of the sleeve 16 fittedthereto.

Similarly, at the opposite end of the body 70, away from the cap 80 onthe collar 76, threads 84 match the threads 64 on the reservoir 12.Again, the seal 66 a serves to seal the neck 62 of the reservoir 12against the receiver 68 of the housing 14. Various other seals 66 areseen throughout the system 10.

The wall 86 of the body 70 extends along the receiver 68 and the barrels72. The wall 86 becomes somewhat more complex as it extends to form thecollar 76.

An outlet 88 or aperture 88 formed in the cap 80 permits passage ofscented air or a flow of scented air from the system 10 into theenvironment. The penetration 88 or aperture 88 in the cap 80 permitsthat passage. Thus, substantially all air into the system 10 must enterthrough the inlet port 24 in the collar 76 of the body 70 of the housing14. Substantially all fluid, meaning entrained particles and theirentraining air will pass out of the system 10 by way of the outlet 88 oraperture 88 in the cap 80 sealing the system 10. Any droplets coalescingagainst solid surfaces flow back to the reservoir 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, but also specifically referring to FIGS. 1 through3, and continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1 through 29, the body 90of the sleeve 16 has some features in common with the body 70 of thehousing 14. For example, the body 90 of the sleeve 16 is provided withears 91 or tabs 91. These tabs 91 or ears 91 act as anchors 91 toregister and secure the body 90 into the collar 76 and body 70 of thehousing 14. Specifically, the ears 91 are adapted to fit within therelief spaces 82 or sockets 82. Fasteners then pass through the tabs 91to seat in the sockets 82 of the collar 76.

An adapter 92 operates as a receiver 92 for the siphon tube 58.Typically, an interference fit provides a fluid seal between the siphontube 58 and the receiver 92, which acts as an adapter 92 into theeductor chamber 40. One may think of the eductor 20 as constituting aportion of the sleeve 16. For example, a sleeve 16 seals against thedrive 18 by a seal 66 b (see FIG. 2). That seal 66 b connects thepassage of air through the drive 18 and into the plenum 36.

The plenum 36, injecting through the nozzle 38 a jet of air, sends thatjet of air into an eductor chamber 40. The eductor chamber 40, itself,is formed as in interior portion within a well 94 at the lower end ofthe sleeve 16. Thus, the drive 18 seals 66 b against the well 94 of thesleeve 16. This seals the drive 18 also against any entry of the scentedair flow passing from the drift chamber 44 into the annulus 50.

The well 94 effectively terminates the bottom end of the barrel 96 ofthe body 90 of the sleeve 16. Since the wall 98 of the barrel 96operates as one wall 98 of the annulus 50, one can see that the wall 86of the barrel 72 of the body 70 of the housing 14 forms the other wall86 of the annulus 50.

All of this geometry simply shows the significance and benefit of thevertical integration of the essentially concentric drive 18, sleeve 16,housing 14, and reservoir 12. The result is such a compact structurethat is not only self contained, but contains sealed passages and selfcooling by the incoming air.

The effect of isolation by various seals 66 and the various walls 86, 98of the system 10 provides additional sound proofing to render the system10 more quiet, efficient, self cooling, and integrated into a smallerenvelope than heretofore available. Here, envelope refers to the overallouter geometric volume, and its dimensions. Thus, here, the envelope iscomparatively tall and comparatively narrow, with the system 10comprised of effectively concentrically, vertically stacked components12, 14, 16, 18, 20.

Just as the cap 80 fits the collar 76 to seal the body 70, forming ahousing 14, the sleeve 16 has a cap 100. The cap 100 seals against thedrive 18 by the seal 66 c. The seal 66 d effectively fits between thefloor 104 of the cap 100 and an upper surface of the drive 18.Meanwhile, an outer wall 102 bounds or surrounds the cap 100, and fitsthe cap 100 inside the housing cap 80. Thus, the wall 102 of the drivecap 100 fits within the wall 87 of the housing cap 80.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 100 also includes an inlet lobe106 a and outlet lobe 106 b. These lobes 106 a, 106 b serve to close offthe inlet lobe 78 a and outlet lobe 78 b of the housing 14. However, asignificant difference between the lobe 106 a and the lobe 106 b is thatthe lobe 106 b contains a conduit 108 or chimney 108 that effectivelycontains the exit passage 44. That is, in some respect the conduit 108is the exit passage 54. However, in another way of speaking, the exitpassage 54 is the cavity or open space within the conduit 108 or chimney108. Thus, one sees that a seal 66 e about the conduit 108 a seals theconduit 108 against the passage 109 in the collar 76 of the body 70 ofthe housing 14. Thus, the final drift chamber 52 is sealed in connectionwith the exit passage 54 by the seal 66 e therebetween.

A controller 110 or control module 110 may be fabricated as, or on, acircuit board 110 with various components. In the illustratedembodiment, the control module 110 fits within the wall 102 or rim 102of the drive cap 100. A cover portion 112 fits within the inlet lobe 106a to close off the inlet passage 26 or inlet chamber 26. In someembodiments, the inlet lobe 106 a may also serve to seal off the inletchamber 26. However, in the illustrated embodiment, a perforation 30through the floor 104 of the sleeve cap 100 serves to introduce a flowof inlet air entering through the inlet port 24 and inlet chamber 26 andpassing into the plenum 32 by way of the perforation 30. Thus, the cover112 or cover portion 112 of the control module 110 may tend to effect orcreate the chamber 32 or plenum 32.

Air passing through the chamber 32 will tend to cool the electronics 114and other devices on the control module 110. For example, theelectronics 114 may include circuit components, micro switches, wiring,and so forth. Typically, a recess 116 in the module 110 registers withand provides space for the conduit 108 to pass therethrough.

Various apertures 118 may be provided in various components in order toreceive fasteners. Fasteners may thereby secure the various components12, 14, 16, 18, 80, 100, 110 together.

In that regard, a control panel 120 may actually be provided with anaperture 122 supporting exit or passage of flows of air out from theexit passage 54. The aperture 122 may be sufficiently large to actuallyfit around the conduit 108, or may simply butt up against the conduit108, thereby providing continuation of the exit passage 54 through thecontrol panel 120. In order to fit, the lobes 126 a, 126 b may match thelobes 106 a, 106 b respectively in the cap 100.

A principal function of the control panel 120 is to provide buttons 124,such as, for example the buttons 124 a, 124 b, 124 c. Herein, trailingletters behind reference numerals indicate specific instances of theitem identified by the reference numeral. Accordingly, it is proper hereto speak of a reference numeral alone, or a reference numeral with atrailing letter. The trailing letter indicates a specific instance. Thereference numeral indicates all instances of the item. Thus, it is notnecessary to cite every trailing reference letter, since a singlemention of a reference numeral necessarily includes all of the specificinstances identified in particular locations by the reference letters.

The buttons 124 may control various operational characteristics. Forexample, it has been found that users may be subjected to substantialtrial and error in trying to adjust flow rates. For example, in otherembodiments of apparatus and methods, controls have been implementedthat control duty cycle, total time that the scented air may be injectedinto the atmosphere out of any overall period of time. For example,previous inventions by the instant inventor controlled the duration ofsystems in an “on” condition injecting scented air into the surroundingenvironment. Likewise, the overall time period was controlled. In otherembodiments, the time “on” and the time “off” conditions together addedto the total time for a single cycle. Thus, the fraction of time in theon condition can be controlled by controlling either the fraction of ontime in the total cycle time or the comparative time as related to thedelay time or comparative time off.

Here, in certain embodiments, the buttons 124 may control otherparameters that are already integrated or have integrated the proportionof time on, the proportion of time off, the rate of flow, and the amountof introduced content 56 being entrained within the air flow.

Typically, the rim 128 on the cap 80 or housing cap 80 may provide acertain amount of protection, and rapid registration duringinstallation. The control panel 120 will thus fit neatly, predictably,and stably onto the housing cap 80. A plate 129 may act as a wall 129 orcover 129. Meanwhile, seals 130 may be provided. The cavity 132 insidethe cap 80 provides space for any of the electronics 114 on the controlmodule 110 to be contained within the envelope of the cap 80.

Referring to FIGS. 4 through 13 and 20 through 29, the design andappearance of a system 10 in accordance with the invention may becomparatively tall and narrow. This provides many benefits, somefunctional, and some from a design point of view. Thus, the viewsembodied in these figures illustrate the design of one embodiment. Theribs 74 may be dispensed with by thickening the wall 86 of the body 70.Likewise, different materials may be formed of a foamed or expandedpolymer rather than any solid molded polymer in forming the housing 14.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1 through 29, one may think of a passage 50 such as the annulus 50between the sleeve 16 and the housing 14 as a conduit 50 carrying afluid. The fluid is actually in two phases. One phase is vapor or gassuch as air. The vapor may also include a certain amount of evaporatedliquid content 56 from the reservoir 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flow 138 along the passage 50 islaminar. Accordingly, the flow 138 is distributed with a laminarvelocity profile 140 or profile 140. The profile 140 reflects thevariation in velocity 150 across a distance 146 measured from someorigin 148, such as a wall, a center line, or the like along the passage50.

In laminar flow 138, the flow 138 may be thought of as being representedby stream lines 142. The stream lines 142 effectively pass along acertain region of a passage 50. The velocity 150 measured at anydistance 146 in the passage 50 is effectively the same. Thus, acentrally located stream line 142 indicates the maximum velocity in thepassage 50. Meanwhile, velocity typically distributes along aneffectively parabolic profile 140 eventually arriving at a zero value ofvelocity 150 at each wall 144.

In a system 10 in accordance with the invention, the overall distance146 across the entire passage 50 is comparatively small compared to thelength of the path in the direction of the velocity 150. For example, ina system in accordance with the system 10, the gap 50 or passage 50 ison the order of tens of thousandths of an inch. For example, a gap 50 offrom about 50 to about 100 mils (thousandths) of an inch (e.g., a fewmillimeters) represents the total distance 146.

Meanwhile, the overall length along the path of the flow 138 may be amatter of multiple inches, for example, about two inches (fivecentimeters). An effect of the velocity profile 140 is thatcomparatively smaller droplets that are sufficiently small toeffectively remain with the surrounding air, tend to operate or travelexactly as the vapor (air) in traveling along the passage 50.

By contrast, comparatively larger droplets are affected by faster airpassing by them closer to the center or origin 148. Meanwhile, thevelocity 150 is zero at the walls 144. Accordingly, larger droplets, ofthe second, heavier phase, generally, will be driven toward the outerwalls 144. Thus, the closer to the origin 148 or the shorter thedistance 146 from the origin 148, the faster the velocity 150 of flow138. This results in the greater the tendency to carry onlycomparatively smaller droplets, the larger droplets having drifted outtoward the wall 144.

At the wall 144, any impact of a liquid droplet will typically tend tocause coalescence or adherence to the wall 144. Some fracturing maycreate smaller particles. Thus, comparatively larger droplets move tothe outside boundaries 144 of the passage 50, thus separating them outfrom the flow 138.

Referring to FIG. 15, one may think of the different regions 152 of theflow 138. In general, the velocity profile 140 illustrates how thevelocity 150 actually varies across the channel 50 or passage 50.However, one may think of each of the sections 152 as a cylindrical corewithin a circular passage 50, or as a flat plate, effectively, in theannular passage 50 in accordance with the invention.

Closer to the center, the section 152 a is traveling at the highestvelocity 150. similarly, the section 152 b is traveling at a lowervelocity 150. Meanwhile, reduced velocity 140 in the section 152 cultimately leads to a zero velocity 150 at the wall 144, and its lowestvelocity in the section 152 d.

Thus, the various droplets 160 are subject to drifting 156 or drift 156toward the walls 144. The comparatively larger droplets 160 will tend tolag the air flow and drift more laterally, toward the wall 144. Thecomparatively smaller droplets 160 will tend to entrain more completelywith the surrounding air in the bulk flow 138.

It is important to understand that fluid drag exists between the bulkflow of air and the droplets 160. Meanwhile, momentum is mass multipliedby velocity. The velocity of the drift 156 is affected by the speed ofthe flow 138, or the velocity 150 of the bulk flow 138. However, becausethe momentum of a comparatively larger particle is greater (greatermass) than the momentum of a comparatively smaller particle, fluid dragmust exert more force in order to provide the impulse. Impulse is forceover (multiplied by) time which equates to a change in mass timesvelocity.

In the illustration, one may think of comparatively smaller droplets 160as having motion which, if not Brownian, is at least so overwhelmed bythe fluid drag on the individual particles 160, that those particles 160move freely with the air. In contrast, the additional momentum andespecially the relationship between surface area, or evencross-sectional area compared to overall mass and therefore momentum,has a dramatic effect (reduction) on the ability of fluid drag to changethe direction of a larger particle 160.

Accordingly, comparatively larger particles 160 have a lower ratio offluid drag force (proportional to cross-sectional area of the droplet160 in the flow 138) compared to the momentum (mass times velocity,where mass is a function of diameter to the third power). Accordingly,as diameter of a droplet 160 goes up, mass goes up as a third power ofdiameter. Meanwhile, fluid drag only goes up as a square of diameter(cross-sectional area, in other words).

Referring to FIG. 16, in general, the flow 138 may be characterized byvarious dimensionless numbers, such as that of equation one. Here, Nrepresents the Reynolds number. A Reynolds number represents adimensionless number that relates the momentum forces to the frictionalforces in a moving fluid. Thus, density and velocity as well as asignificant length such as a dimension of a passage 50 control thenumerator (upper) terms in the Reynolds number, while the viscosity is adenominator (lower) term. Again, this information is all available instandard engineering textbooks and other analyses.

Thus, density times velocity times a significant length, such as theentire effective diameter (typically distance 146 across the passage 50)represents the numerator. Viscosity represents the denominator.Meanwhile, all the units must be appropriate whether using an Englishsystem or the SI (international systems) of units.

Here, a Reynolds number is far below the threshold of about 2,000(usually 2100). Again, 2,000 has no units, as it is a dimensionlessnumber. In a system 10 in accordance with the invention, the Reynoldsnumber is well into the laminar region, and does not even approach thevalue required for transition to turbulent flow.

In one illustrated embodiment, it has been found that a pump in thedrive system 18 having a dead head pressure available of about thirteenpsi (about one pascal) flows with about one quart per minute (0.9 litersper minute) of flow 138 when restricted only by the natural drag of thesystem 10. In one embodiment, a flow of about a pint per minute (0.45liters per minute) flows at about a pressure of 0.7 pounds per squareinch (0.05 pascal). In this instance, the orifice is about 0.015 inches(or about 0.5 millimeters).

Drag force, designated by F in FIG. 16, is equal to a combined group ofconstants referenced here by the letter K multiplied by thecross-sectional area of the object or droplet 160 on which the drag isacting, multiplied by the square of velocity. Velocity, represented hereby the letter V, is the relative velocity between the droplet 160 andthe surrounding fluid. Meanwhile, the drag force operating over a periodof time is equal to the mass (M), multiplied by the change in velocity,V for a net change in momentum which is shown as the change (delta) inthe overall momentum represented by MV.

Referring to FIG. 17, in a system 10 in accordance with the inventionthe system 10, itself may be installed, supported, ensconced, hidden,presented, or otherwise placed in, on, within, or in some otherrelationship with various cases, housings, or the like. For example, inthe illustration, various means of positioning or locating the system 10may be used. Thus, the system 10 is adaptable to virtually any decor,any design concept, or any environment. Whether in a floral arrangement,stand alone sculpture, or hidden within some other object, the system 10need only receive electrical power to operate the drive system 18. Sincethe reservoir 12 and the entire eductor 20 exists within the system 10,no other constraints need be placed on the system 10 in order tooperate.

In the illustrated examples, an air purifier 164 a may include a system10 in accordance with the invention. The system may be in closeproximity to an intake port, outlet port, or simply nearby. In someembodiments, the system 10 may actually output its flow into the airstream passing through the air purifier, typically downstream of thepurification process.

Likewise, a portable unit 164 b may fit a cup holder in a vehicle, or befree-standing on a flat surface. For example, the unit 164 b may includebatteries or other power source to run the drive in the system 10.

Other shapes and devices such as a vase 164 d or goblet 164 d may beadapted to contain a system 10. Likewise, a floral arrangement 164 e mayensconce the self-contained system 10. A clock radio 164 f or otheralarm clock 164 f may include two systems 10, one for a wake-up scentand one for a sleep-time scent.

Air conditioning units 164 g may be easily adapted to include a system10, in which only a small portion of the overall structure is visible.In fact, in some embodiments, it may be placed inside a vent. However,the illustrated embodiment is most easily accessed and controlled.Meanwhile, conventional dispensers 164 h of disinfectants and the like,used as wall-mounted units 164 h in many commercial establishments andpublic restrooms may also be adapted to receive a system 10 providingaromatic conditioning of the air.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19 and FIGS. 1 through 29 generally, somemodifications to a system 10 in accordance with the invention in thisembodiment may include, for example, locating the wall 98 of the sleeve16 surrounding the drive 18 (pump and motor) eccentrically with respectto the body 70 of the housing 14. Accordingly, the gap between the wall98 and the wall 86 is not uniform about the entire circumference. Also,a relief slot may be cut into the wall 86 to tune the performance asshowing the wall 86 thickness on the right. This results in a largereffective diameter (hydraulic diameter) on one side of the passage 50between the nozzle 42 and the final transit drift 52. On one side, thegap is smaller. The effective diameter, typically becomes the gapthickness when small gaps form the channel 50 or annulus 50. Thus, fluiddrag is reduced in the passage 50 as the effective diameter (gap) andresulting Reynolds number increase.

In the illustrated embodiment, the seal 66 b may be an O-ring, but isillustrated in this embodiment as a grommet providing additional fillingand fitting for the interface between the nozzle 38, particularly nearthe plenum 36 and the barrel 96 of the sleeve 16 containing a drive 18(motor and pump).

The top cap 80 that closes off the housing 14, still relies on buttons124. However, those buttons 124 may pass through apertures 166 in acover 168. The cover 168 is itself then covered by a panel 120. Thispanel 120 may be, effectively, a membrane 120. By touching the membrane120, a user may actuate any of the switches 124, including a powerbutton 124 a, as well as the timer control buttons 124 b, 124 c. Forexample, the target 124 d on the membrane 120 may depress the powerbutton 124 a in response to finger pressure.

Indicator lights 164 suitably identified may shine through apertures 162or windows 162 rendering the lights 164 visible through the membrane 120or cover 120. In this embodiment, the button 124 a is effectively abutton 124 a actuating inside the cap 80, under the touch location 124 dthat represents and contacts that button 124 a under the membrane cover120.

Relief may be provided in order to permit the conduit 108 to passtherethrough on its way to exiting the system 10. Also, the stack up ofcomponents that form the cap 80 may be secured together by fasteners.The fasteners, such as screws, rivets, bolts, or the like may passthrough individual components, such as through the apertures 178 intostandoffs 176 for the purpose. Standoffs 176 provide for alignment ofcomponents by means of recesses 116 or relief 116 spaced apart andfitted to the various standoffs 176. Meanwhile, fasteners extending downthrough apertures 178 may be received into central hollows or aperturesin the standoffs 176. Thus, the cap 80, once assembled with componentsfastened together may be handled as a single piece 80 or assembly 80.

In the illustrated embodiment, an apparatus 10 in accordance with theinvention may be provided with a foam layer 172 effective to dampensound and vibration originating from the drive 18. The foam layer 172may be positioned between the drive 18 and the wall 98 of the sleeve 16.

In some embodiments, electrical plugs 170 may be provided toelectronically connect the drive 18 to an outside source of power in aconvenient manner. One or more plugs 170 may be provided in order toprovide charging, power, control, or the like. In any basic embodiment,a single plug 170 may include multiple connections in order to carry oneor more circuits of electricity as appropriate. In the illustratedembodiment, a controller 110 may be built upon a printed circuit board110 on which electronic components 114 are interconnected to controltiming, logic, switching as described above, and so forth as necessary.

The system 10 has been found to be somewhat more robust, particularly inview of the energy and dynamic nature of the drive 18, by provision ofribs 174 to add structural strength to the walls 98 of the sleeve 16surrounding and supporting the drive 18, and supporting the eductorchamber 40. For example, the eductor 20 houses and supports the drive 18by means of the grommet 66 b or other seal 66 b. Similarly, the grommet66 b or seal 66 b forces the nozzle 38 down into the eductor chamber 40.Substantial force may be applied to the grommet 66 b, in view of theeffect of the cap 80 seating against resilient seals 66 c applying forcethrough the drive 18 to the well 94 and wall 98. The ribs 174 have beenfound effective to stiffen and strengthen the structure of the walls 98of the sleeve 16 containing the drive 18, and strengthens the well 94and securement thereto.

The annulus 50 may be tuned or trimmed. In this embodiment, the gap 50may be about 0.050 to about 0.10 in inches across. Output is greatlyreduced below about 0.030 inches. Separation degrades as the gap 50increases over about 0.10 inches. The thickness of 0.060 inches in thewall 86 of the barrel 70 may be relieved by marking a channel therein ofabout 0.030 in depth and about 0.20 to about 0.35 width. A quarter inchof width tapering from a depth of zero at the bottom to about 0.030inches at the top of the wall 86 (a height of about two to tow and ahalf inches) has been found effective to improve output with no loss inseparation quality for oils deemed comparatively more viscous and moreresinous, such as sandalwood and patchouli. Alternatively the entire gap50 may be increased.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its purposes, functions, structures, or operationalcharacteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of theinvention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather thanby the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:
 1. A method of separating atomized droplets of a liquid, themethod comprising: educting an essential oil from a reservoir into aflow of a stream of air; spraying the essential oil into a chamber as adistribution of droplets suspended in the flow; passing the dropletsthrough a separator channel having walls defining an aspect ratio oflength-to-effective-diameter capable of drifting comparatively largerdroplets towards the walls during passage along the length; removing thecomparatively larger droplets from the distribution of droplets bylateral migration thereof across the flow to the walls.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising passing the flow vertically along theseparator channel.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising passingthe flow upward along the separator channel.
 4. The method of claim 3,further comprising providing a material for the walls having a surfacetension with the comparatively larger droplets effective to create anattractive force attracting the comparatively larger droplets to thewalls.
 5. The method of claim 4 further comprising coalescing thecomparatively larger droplets against the walls.
 6. The method of claim5, further comprising draining the coalesced comparatively largedroplets toward the reservoir.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: providing a drive system effective to pressurize the streamof air; providing the walls to be concentric with one another, andenclosing the drive system; providing a first cooling channel betweenthe drive system and the walls; cooling the drive system by drawing thestream of air into the drive system by way of the first cooling channel;and thermally isolating the drive system by passing the stream betweenthe walls.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising limitingtransfer of sound from the drive system by the first cooling channel andthe separator channel.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprisingcontrolling the duty cycle of the drive system based on a size of spaceto be conditioned by the droplets and an intensity of conditioning ofthe space, both selected by a user and controlled by the drive systemduty cycle, where duty cycle is represented by a relationship between afirst time span in which the drive system operates and a second timespan selected from total elapsed time and time spent by the drive systemnot operating.
 10. A method of separating atomized droplets of a liquid,the method comprising: atomizing an oil, drawn from a reservoir andrendered droplets by a flow of air; passing the flow into a channeldefined by walls capable of drifting comparatively larger droplets ofthe droplets toward the walls; drifting the comparatively largerdroplets toward the walls by passing the flow toward an exit end of thechannel; coalescing the comparatively larger droplets by adhering to thewalls.
 11. The method of claim 10, comprising: passing the flowvertically along the channel; passing a liquid formed from thecomparatively larger droplets coalesced on the walls; and reintroducingback into the reservoir the liquid.
 12. The method of claim 10,comprising obstructing the flow in a forward direction along the path,in at least three distinct directions and locations correspondingthereto.
 13. The method of claim 10, comprising: providing a materialfor the wall having a surface tension with the droplets effective tocreate an attractive force urging the droplets to adhere to the wall:and changing the direction of the comparatively larger droplets withrespect to the flow in three mutually orthogonal directions.
 14. Themethod of claim 10 comprising integrating the reservoir and the wall infixed relation to one another to move in rigid body motion together as asingle unit.
 15. The method of claim 14, comprising providing controlsfor the flow, visible and operable to a user on a top surface of thewall.
 16. The method of claim 10, comprising providing controls visibleand operable to a user on a top surface of the wall.
 17. The method ofclaim 10, comprising providing a housing enclosing removably togetherthe reservoir and path.
 18. A method of separating atomized droplets ofa liquid, the method comprising: atomizing the liquid, drawn from areservoir and rendered droplets by a flow of air; passing the flow alonga path defined by a wall; providing an exit; directing comparativelylarger droplets of the droplets toward the wall by changing theirdirection with respect to the flow in each of at least three directionsprior to passing through the exit; coalescing back to a contiguousliquid film the comparatively larger droplets removing from the flow byadhering to the wall; and reintroducing back into the reservoir thecontiguous liquid film coalesced.
 19. The method of claim 18,comprising: shaping the wall to coalesce the comparatively largerdroplets of the droplets by drifting them out of the flow as a result ofthe flow changing direction; obstructing the flow in a forward directionalong the path, in at least four distinct directions and locationscorresponding thereto; providing a material for the wall having asurface tension with the droplets effective to create an attractiveforce urging the droplets to adhere to the walls; integrating thereservoir and the wall in fixed relation to one another to move in rigidbody motion together as a single unit; providing controls for the flow,visible and operable to a user on a top surface of the wall.